The Need

Montgomery County welcomes refugees and asylum seekers at a greater rate than almost every jurisdiction in the state. From 2010 to 2015, Montgomery County resettled 2,256 refugees and 2,181 asylees. 1 (See map below for primary countries of origin.)

The Refugee Resettlement Process

Refugees receive support the first few months after their arrival through federally-funded resettlement programs that are implemented by nonprofit resettlement agencies. These agencies supplement the Federal program through private funding.

Challenges Facing New Arrivals

Families need to settle into a new residence, learn to take public transportation, go to numerous medical appointments, enroll their children in school, learn or improve their English and immediately find a job.

They face cultural and language barriers.

Many are suffering from PTSD and other illnesses.

Many are seniors for whom the transition is particularly difficult.

After a few months, they must be self-sufficient and pay their own rent.

Asylum seekers face other challenges:

They are often new to the community and may not have a safe place to live.

They are ineligible for public benefits and it can take up to a year for them to receive a work permit.

Once granted asylum, these new residents need assistance finding better jobs, to be re-certified in their career field and to improve their English. They also suffer from PTSD and other illnesses.

Central Americans Fleeing Violence

Central Americans Fleeing Violence In 2014, a Central American migration crisis emerged when tens of thousands of women and unaccompanied children from Central America journeyed to the United States seeking asylum due to unprecedented levels of crime and violence in their countries. From 2014-2015, over 2000 minor children were welcomed to Maryland, more per capita than any other state. The status of Central American minors is similar to that of an asylum seeker in that they are applying to stay in the U.S. because of the dangers of going home.

Syrians Refugees Fleeing War

From the inception of the Syrian refugee crisis, faith communities in the U.S. have been ready to help. Syrians families began arriving in the DC area over the summer. Resettlement agencies expects that up to 200 Syrian families will be resettled in the DC area in 2016 and more in 2017.

CLICK FOR FLYER The Faith Community Working Group invites Montgomery County residents of all faith traditions and ethnic backgrounds to the Second Annual Multicultural Dialogue. The exercises in this series of dialogues develop from the first to the third. We encourage you to attend this dialogue and consider attending the second and third dialogues. All attendees must register at: tinyurl.com/fcwgdialogue3 Capacity: 120 (Registration will close once capacity is reached) Snow Date : January 28; an email will be sent[...]